Naval wargame does not target China, says US

PTI | Updated: Sep 6, 2007, 22:00 IST

WASHINGTON: The ongoing naval wargame in the Bay of Bengal involving five nations does not "target" China but is designed to shape strategic choices by regional actors like India, a senior Pentagon official has said. "This exercise does not target China. It is designed to shape strategic choices being made by all regional actors. Malabar is a sign of responsible stakeholders interested in promoting peace and security by a visible presence," said Brigadier General John Toolan, Principal Director for South and South East Asia at the US Department of Defence. The four-day 'Malabar Exercise' started on September 4 with the participation of warships from five countries -- India, Australia, Japan, Singapore and the US.

"US and Indian cooperation does not seek to contain China. India, and the countries engaged in this naval exercise, would not stand for this," Toolan said at a meeting on Capitol Hill organised by the Indian American Security Leadership Council. The senior official said the "unique" relationship between India and the US would not be defined by a treaty due to overlapping interests and shared value systems, and added that Washington would like to see its evolving ties with New Delhi transform into something it has with key allies like Britain, Australia and Japan. "Our relationship with India is unique, and unlikely to be defined by a treaty alliance. The US is confident that, by virtue of our overlapping interests and shared value systems, the US and Indian strategic partnership will deepen organically, without requiring a treaty," Toolan said.